80-villa luxury resort in Kalpitiya

by Shirajiv SIRIMANE

Sri Lanka's biggest Tourism development project, Kalpitiya Tourism promotion zone, took off the ground when 'Dutch Bay Resorts' laid the foundation stone for an 80-villa luxury resort in Kalpitiya, recently.

One of the leading hotel chains in the world, Six Senses Group has come forward to manage this property which would be one of Sri Lanka's most expensive hotels stamping investor confidence for the industry.

Dutch Bay Resorts would be investing US $ 175 million for the project with $ 75 million being invested for the phase one which includes the construction of 75 luxury boutique chalets. In addition the property would include a Spa Club, Floating Restaurants and a helipad where tourists could land after touching at the Colombo Airport.

Chairman, Dutch Bay Resorts, Neil De Silva said that with the war ending Sri Lanka is being converted to an upmarket destination where high spending tourists would patronise it. "This is why we are investing in this project," he said.

He also said that due to terrorism Sri Lanka lost many opportunities that went to Male, Thailand, Mauritius and other neighbouring countries. Kalpitiya Zone would now attract more investors", he predicted.

He said that while attracting high spending tourists they would also encourage the concept make 'Sri Lanka your second home' specially among the Arabs. "What we are promoting to the Arabs is that they buy a Villa in Kalpitiya and use it as and when they need it," he said.

He also said that top hotels in the world hire Sri Lanka staff as they are of very high standard they too would employ over 90 percent locals.

He said that one of the unique features of Kalpitiya is that it is one of the most beautiful coastal areas in the North Western Province and it is not polluted and they want to keep it that way. "We will also get the community involved in the project and one objective is to give wealth to them," he said.

Minister of investment Promotion, Naveen Dissanayake said that the fact that leading hotel chains like Six Senses coming to Sri Lanka proves the investor confidence they have for the country.